MbPT takes planning of strategic relations to a 100 hectare iconic park

The Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) has proposed to reclaim around 100 hectares (ha) of land, at Haji Bunder near Sewri for developing world's largest garden in Mumbai. Sanjay Bhatia, chairman of MbPT said, they will invite 18 countries to develop their iconic gardens over here. MbPT will plan strategic partnerships and relationships with foreign countries through recreational space. The plan is still in its nascent stage as the authority is yet to get approvals from the central environment ministry for reclamation of land from this area.

“The interesting part would be, these gardens will be maintained by those countries who develop the theme, like the famous Japanese garden if part of this proposed park. It will be maintained by Japanese authorities. This will help to meet the idea of building and improving our strategic partnerships and relationships with these foreign countries,” said Bhatia.

However, a lot of this plan depends on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) agrees the plan will be taken up; soon we plan to write to MEA for permissions. The MbPT will invite countries with which India has bi-lateral relations, like Russia, Germany, France, Egypt, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and other countries,” Bhatia said.

The MbPT wants to attract tourism and give yet another creative spot for Mumbai citizens to experience. However, city-based activists do not think the plan Stalin D, an environmentalist feels too much land has already been reclaimed and with the changing weather cycle, the planners need to be more careful.

“Reclaiming land from sea front is an absolute no, as we have seen the devastating effects during monsoon every year. The consequences of reclamation of the Mumbai coast will be too drastic to be ignored. The entire coastline is experiencing severe erosion and its already been documented by Mumbai university's geography department,” said Stalin the activist.

Activist, Zoru Bhathena “Their plan to develop an 'iconic park' to improve relations with international countries is just a reason to fool the public.”